I loved it here. Truly a hole in the wall. Parking is really tough so street parking is usually gonna be the norm unless you get lucky in their tiny shared parking lot. The guava bar was delicious and flavorful and just crumbles in your mouth! Definitely one of the better guava bars I've tried. Love how crumbly it is. The salmon belly was delicious OMFG. It looks so simple and straightforward but that sht is so flavorful. It is crispy and yet soft on the inside. The salmon belly is cut into bite-sized pieces so I didn't have to worry about using a knife to cut it. I usually try salmon belly where it is usually seasoned lightly to bring out the natural flavor of the salmon, but Guava Smoked's salmon belly is just grilled in a way that makes the salmon sweet/crispy and still get traces of the salmon taste as well. It's definitely not your traditional Japanese-style way of cooking salmon belly but really just their own. I'd go back and get this again. Another thing too. I'd get this with beer. This would hit very hard with alcohol but because I don't drink I need a kombucha. The grilled salmon belly would go perfect with it. Cheers! Uncle was very helpful and kind when serving and if you dine-in he brings it to your table. read more

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Park in the back and walk up the stairs. This place was not as amazing as I hoped. But it definitely got the job done. The guy at the counter wasn't the most people person ever, but he also got the job done. Didn't get a photo of the guava cake brownie thing they have, but it was really yummy. read more

Guava Smoked - Hamburger steak, not as tasty as it sounds. But that's what that thing is, covered in gravy. And delicious chicken plate. - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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WHY WE WENT HERE: - dinner THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located on the 2nd floor of a plaza off Kapahulu Ave and Campbell Ave - entrance to the the restaurant is accessed through the parking lot off Campbell Ave patio seating available overlooking Kapahulu Ave THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - indoor seating is comprised of high chairs and tables or booth seating - order and pay at the register; help yourself to the drink fountain; seat yourself - single person restrooms THE MENU: - plate lunches - burgers & sandwiches - dessert - bowls - pupu bowls - frozen to go... WHAT WE ORDERED: - Smoked Chicken with Kahumana Greens - Spicy Smoked Pork with Kahumana Greens - Smoked Kalbi Short Ribs with Kahumana Greens - Guava Slush THE TASTE: - kahumana greens was essentially a side salad; the dressing was like a lemony/tangy ranch, pleasant surprise and good - smoked chicken was a bit dry, but almost like a teriyaki chicken - spicy smoked pork wasn't spicy, moreso peppery; this was pretty good - smoked kalbi short ribs were both tender and chewy and just a LOT of meat in general CUSTOMER SERVICE: - we came for dinner but this is definitely more of a lunch place read more

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TL;DR The spicy pork is good. ----- I had Guava Smoked on my radar for quite a while, so when I found myself nearby and craving a protein-packed plate lunch, I decided to drop in. There is a dedicated parking lot behind the restaurant that is shared with the other businesses in the same building. When I walked into the restaurant at about 1pm on a Wednesday, I was surprised to find it almost empty. It's a pretty large space, so the lack of patrons was rather glaring. There was one person sitting at the counter facing the kitchen and one employee working. This was my very first visit to Guava Smoked so I asked the person at the counter what he recommends. He said the two most popular meats are the kalbi and the spicy pork. "Perfect!" I thought, because those were the two options I was eyeing. Unfortunately, they were out of kalbi that day. Bummer... Nothing else on the menu caught my eye, so I ordered a smoked spicy pork plate to go. The spicy pork was good. Did it blow my mind? I wouldn't say it did. But it was satisfying enough. Honestly, I really wish they had kalbi available when I went. Hopefully next time I stop in they will. read more

Guava Smoked - Smoked Pork (Spicy) - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Out of kalbi (seems to happen quite a bit?) and spicy pork seemed a lot saltier than I remember. They seem to get overwhelmed by large crowds/busy times of the day. Not sure if they were just down a person the day I visited, but waited a very long time for my order. read more

Found this local gem thanks to a recommendation from our Lyft driver! It's a fantastic spot for authentic Hawaiian smoked meat just outside the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. The Food: We ordered the combination plate to try a bit of everything--chicken, pork, and kalbi short ribs. Every meat was perfectly marinated and paired beautifully with the kimchi. The kalbi was the absolute standout! The Logistics: Keep in mind that the entrance is tucked away at the back of the building (not the main road side) on the second floor. Parking is a small lot in the back or limited street options. The Service: I'm knocking off one star due to a somewhat grumpy experience with the gentleman taking orders. There was a mix-up with our meat selection, and while the server corrected it, the original staff member seemed visibly disgruntled and kept shaking his head at the mistake. Overall: A solid "hole-in-the-wall" find. Despite the service hiccup, the food is delicious enough that I'd definitely return when I'm back in the area. Mahalo! read more

Guava Smoked - Inside - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Holy Hawaiian BBQ! I've been stalling on writing a review for this place for the longest time, simply because I have been greedy and wanting to keep this place all to myself. Plus, if you arrive to late in the evenings, they tend to sell out on some of their more popular items. I always order the combination plate - add any of the sides and you cannot go wrong. All of their meats are smoked to perfection. If we don't order it in our combo plates, we always get an additional kalbi order; my hubby insists! The spot can be a little difficult to locate. Parking in the back is extremely limited, but I just park across the street or find street parking. The stairs might look daunting, but there's an elevator if you're having limited mobility. Majority of the seating is high top, which I love, but can be problematic for some. There are booths that can fit 4 comfortably, but they are limited. Restrooms inside too. Don't leave before trying their guava bar! read more

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Got the Smoked Meat Chili from the Kapahulu Giava Smoked. I still prefer the chili from across Campbell Avenue but it was quite good. Service....worker in front of POS was on his phone for a good minute while I stood next to the POS at the entrance...curious how long it would take for him to ask me what I wanted to order. read more

Guava Smoked - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Absolutely delicious and worth all the hype! We ordered so much food and I got to try the following: Mild smoked pork: 4/5 A tad salty and not as tender as I would've hoped, but the flavor was good. Smoked duck: 5/5 Loved the duck, very smoky and tender. Smoked Kalbi Short Ribs 5/5 This was my favorite protein. It's so juicy and flavorful! Get the smoked fried rice and guava slushy too, you can't go wrong! Service was friendly and I'm glad we showed up right when they opened to avoid the lines. read more

Don't know what to put on here... just look at the picture. A picture is worth a thousand words. Or in this case, maybe just two. GAS STATION. Go chance em read more

Guava Smoked - Smoked Kalbi Short Ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The food was really good. We got the barbecue beef plate with Mac salad and rice for Mac salad was really good. It was pretty empty in the place, but we got our food to go anyways the slushy was my favorite part of the meal. I was very satisfied with this place. read more

Guava Smoked - Guava slushie 10/10 - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Grandpa's stew 10/10. Genorious portion size! Off food topic, restroom was VERY clean which is also appreciated! read more

Hidden hole in the wall. The entrance is located in the back of the building and upstairs. The parking is very small with maybe five stalls. Luckily I was able to get a spot. There are tables and high tops to sit yourself down. Nice ambiance, able to catch up with a friend. Food wise, I got the mild smoked pork plate. I was told this was the most popular item so I wanted to try it. The meat was tender and not dried out. The rice was soft. I chose kimchi for my side. It had a little bit of kick to it (a good thing). Overall good, I wish the meat itself had a little more flavor. But they had spicy sauce condiment and chili water on the side that you can add to your liking. Staff were very nice and helpful with recommendations. Would come back again! read more

Guava Smoked - Smoked pork plate and mixed plate - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This place is upstairs in the back of a building. Everything is smoked. The food was very good. I thought it was a bit pricey but it was interesting trying white gravy on the loco moco. It had a great savory flavor. The Mac salad was really good and did not contain tuna which our party appreciated. You order at the counter and then they bring the food to you. It was not busy when we went and it didn't take long. I would recommend checking it out. read more

Guava Smoked - Smoked Loco Moco - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Had the chicken bowl and Kalbi plate. Was one of the best bbq I've had in awhile. Kalbi was not greasy at all, very tasty! Mac salad taste like homemade. Chicken plate was also good and flavorful. Bowl is good for someone with a small appetite. Went here as a suggestion by my daughter who goes to UH. Glad that we went! read more

Guava Smoked - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I didn't feel like going out, so I had the food DoorDash'ed to where I was staying. I ordered the smoked hamburger steak, with rice and Mac salad.... I ordered it non-spicy. Overall, the food was very good. The rice was done just right, and the Mac salad was great. There was just a little bit of red pepper on top to give it just a tiny bit of a kick. I like it a lot. There were two decent sized smoked hamburger patties, and they were awesome! The smokiness gave the hamburger a more deep flavor. I loved it. The one thing I didn't care for as much, was the white gravy. It tasted just a little sweet for my personal taste, and it tasted like the flour wasn't cooked out all the way. I could taste just a little bit of the flour in the gravy. It was still very good and it went with the hamburger very well. I would order here again the next time I'm in Hawaii. Thank you. read more

Guava Smoked - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

First time here based off lots of recommendations from friends and coworkers. Got the mix plate because I couldn't decide between the loco moco or the smoked salmon belly. Portions for the mix plate were decent I got 3-5 small pieces of salmon belly and two small patties and one egg. The loco moco was good but not what I expected (the hype). The salmon belly was also decent. I would come back to try the short ribs as that's what people keep telling me to try. I wouldn't get the salmon belly again but I would give the loco moco another try. read more

Guava Smoked - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Loved the idea of smoking meats with guava wood, but I didn't really taste much of a smokey flavor in the meats. The bbq left them a little dry, flavor of their marinades are pretty good though! Loved their vinegar sauce and their kimchi that went with the meats though. We got their chicken, salmon belly, kalbi, and spicy pork. I think the juiciest was the chicken! but my mom her favorite was the kalbi dipped in their sauces. We also got a guava bar not shown in the photos but it was also ok! I wish it had more guava flavor. read more

Guava Smoked - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Smoked pork was my favorite - smokey meaty goodness. Short ribs were meaty and good too but a little too burnt and dry for me - needed sauce. Husband liked this the most. Kids said fried rice was just fine and would've preferred the white rice. I think we met the owner and he was very nice. Can't wait to come back for the guava bars! They also sell jook and other large portions of frozen foods to go. They have a small parking lot too woohoo! read more

Guava Smoked - Chicken teriyaki kids plate with fried rice - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Wow wow wow. Came here for the smoked kalbi and it did not disappoint!! I have not had kalbi made like this before. Smoked so well, juicy, fatty and flavorful! Pleasantly surprised with the mac salad as well. Big portions and the kalbi plate was $25. Spicy pork was good, but not comparable to the kalbi flavors - very little spice. Guava bar was good to try, not to sweet. I think it could have been more moist Parking: small lot Location: upstairs. Across from Zippy's Service: friendly and fast! Food: kalbi 5/5, spicy pork 4/5, guava bar 4/5 Ambiance: casual read more

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Came here a second time for lunch because everyone just loved the food. We all had kalbi plate. We loved the kimchi as well as the macaroni (the best out of all the places we've eaten at). Service is excellent just like the day before. We wanted to go again tonight but ran out of time. We're going to miss their food for sure when we go back to California. read more

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If you're looking for some delicious, locally owned BBQ, you must visit Guava Smoked! We were told this was a must stop while we were on the island. All of the meets are smoked with waiawī, a strawberry guava. The meat was fall off the bone, portions were huge, and my "I don't like fried rice" daughter downed almost the entire portion of rice. In addition, we had a guava slushy, plenty of garlic chili sauce, and the chili pepper water had a really unique but yummy flavor. When we're lucky enough to make it back to the island, this will be on our list of local eats. read more

Guava Smoked - Smoked Kalbi Short Ribs Plate, Smoked Loco Moco Plate, and Smoked Fried Rice Bowl - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Came here because we were craving authentic Hawaiian BBQ and this place had good reviews. We left feeling very satisfied. We ordered the smoked chicken, duck, and pork. All of them were flavorful and tender, but my favorites were the pork and chicken. They also have a guava bar dessert, which was amazing and like nothing I've had before. On top of that, the owners who served us were incredibly kind and helpful. The restaurant is very spacious with lots of seating both inside and outside. read more

Guava Smoked - Smoked Chicken, Smoked Half Duck, Smoked Pork - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We had dinner here before we went to the Yelp event downstairs at Walking Bean Cafe. I haven't been here in years and wanted to try them out again. We picked up a Smoked Mixed Plate with beef and chicken $19.58 plus $2.39 for fried rice. We got another Smoked Mixed Plate with kalbi and butterfish collar $19.58 plus $2.39 for fried rice. The food was delicious. It had that char taste that was so good, especially with the fatty butterfish collar. The fried rice was also good with pieces of smoked meat. Also, get the green salad with house dressing. They have this garlicky lemon dressing that's one of the best. Their food is made to order. They cook it as the order comes in, so the food isn't just sitting around. We washed everything down with guava slush $4. The slush was really flavored as it tasted like it was made from pure concentrate. I was afraid that it would have been watered down, but it wasn't. read more

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This is a cross between a Hawaiian plate lunch joint and a smoked meat house. The plate lunches consists of pick a meat, choice of white or brown rice, and pick a side ( Mac salad, green salad or Kim chee). Most of the tables are high top, but they do have three booths along the side of the restaurant. The vibe is relaxed, playing the local top hit radio station. There are a few parking spots around back of the Kapahulu location. Otherwise you are left to search for street parking. The portion sizes are generous, and the smoked meats are what bring the regulars back . Today we had the beef stew plate, the spicy pork plate, and the smoked chicken plate. The beef was tender, but overall the stew was "ok" (not something you come back again for). The pork and chicken were solid, but the spicy pork was not very spicy. The Kim Chee side dish was the winner. We could have made a meal out it. Overall, a reliable place for a smoked meat lunch, but if visiting the island, probably not worth a trip out of your way to try. Service is counter service and person was friendly and patient as we made our decision on what to order. read more

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Landed and came straight here about an hour before closing time craving something heavy. Parking lot is pretty small but we got lucky and grabbed the last spot. Unfortunately we came a little late and all they had left was Loco Moco which we were happy to order. Plate was pretty heavy but we opened it up as soon as we got in the car. First thing you notice is they use a white gravy instead of brown. The gravy and the pork patties were very heavy but good flavor. Eggs were cooked perfectly. The rice unfortunately was kind of mushy for me but it being the end of the night that makes sense. I definitely would love to come back to try their smoked meats an fish next time because it all looks amazing. read more

Guava Smoked - Smoked Loco Moco Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Wow! Just wow! This place is truly a hidden gem in Kaimuki. I bookmarked it last year, and since we were in the area, we finally got to try some of their local plates. I ordered the smoked butterfish collar bowl with one scoop of hapa rice. It had a rich, smoky flavor and it tasted a little bit like miso butterfish but even better because it was smoked. The char was just right, the seasoning was perfect, and it had a slight sweetness. Every bite is just ono!!! My husband got the smoked duck with smoked fried rice and mac salad. Since the duck is made to order, we waited about 20 minutes, but it was totally worth it. The duck was tender and packed with flavor, and the smoked fried rice was just as delicious. We left super satisfied! The staff here are incredibly nice, accommodating, and friendly. Parking is limited, but we found a spot across the street at Nanding's. Highly recommend!!!We'll definitely be back! read more

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Kind of a mystery.... this place should be way busier than it is. It's clean, good value, high protein, and undoubtably local DNA. The decor is a funky vibe with pop mixed with Chinese influence. The entrance is almost hidden, located behind the main building and the shop is only on the second floor. If you're in the area definitely go. read more

Great smoked meats for a decent price. They sell by the weight so it is easy to pick out what you want. Seasonings are always perfection, just a little sweetness form the guava and a rich taste. The beef stew was not as good as their smoked meats but still tasty and rich. Recommend for take out! read more

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We were very glad to eat at Guava Smoked after a long day of exploring Oahu. The staff is kind and helpful with lots of aloha to spread to their guests. I had the butterfish collars, chicken, rice, and a side of kimchi. The butterfish collars had a prominent smokiness and I honestly think this was also the sweetest fish I've ever had in my life. Gotta be careful with all the bones but that's definitely something everyone should try at least once. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The kimchi added a nice acidity and crunch to break through the fattiness of the meal. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I'd love to come back if I ever get the chance to visit Oahu again! read more

Guava Smoked - Smoked Butterfish Collars, Smoked Chicken, rice, and kimchi - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Absolutely delicious and a must try when in Honolulu! Came two days in a row because it was that good- the first day tried the smoked pork and smoked chicken with rice and mac salad, both meats were so tender and flavorful with a great char in places. Second day tried the smoked salmon belly which almost tasted candied, it was so rich and the fat was perfectly rendered. Will definitely return when I'm next visiting, the food is incredible and the service is very efficient and well-run. read more

I tried Guava Smoked due to the glowing suggestion of a local and I was not mislead. I would have given it 5 stars but I have only been there once and I have only tried the Smoked Loco Moco. It was a perfectly savory, hearty, flavorful meal to end the evening. I'm not a regular due to its location, I'm not on that side of the island often, but the restaurant is great. It's on the 2nd floor and it has the perfect vibe. Windows that allow the breeze to flow through, a relaxing view of the city, unquestionably clean and an over-all inviting space. Also, the service was incredibly helpful and friendly. We knew we were in good hands as she guided us in our decision making. We will definitely be back. read more

The worker who took my order. He wasn't pleasant at all. It looked like he doesn't want to be here. I ordered a glass of wine he didn't check my ID. I was surprised. I asked him if he wanted to see it. But he didn't answer. Since it's my first time here; I didn't know if I needed to wait for my food at the counter. The guy who helped me didn't explain anything to me. How the system worked The restaurant overall was ok. IM not impressed with the crew who was here. read more

The smoked meat here is amazing. All the meats have that extra smoky flavor that hits just right. The mac salad wasn't my favorite, and they were out of fried rice when I ordered, which was a bummer. My top picks are definitely the chicken, kalbi, and salmon belly. Everything was packed with flavor and perfectly cooked. read more

Guava Smoked - smoked salmon belly, pork, chicken, kalbi and mac salad - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

100% Recommend!! Option for pick up orders! My group and I had dinner earlier that day, but had to try this restaurant out. I put in an order over the phone and they had my order ready by the time I got there. They have parking in a small lot downstairs. We tried the food in our hotel room and everything was fire! We tasted the smoke in the kalbi and butterfish collar. We couldn't finish the food, so we took the food with us on the flight on, the next day. Even though we had the food cold, the flavors were there! The texture of the kalbi was so moist and tender and the butterfish collar was nice and flaky. read more

So...I remembered for a time in 2023, I went to a Pearlridge Guava Smoked (before it closed down and eventually is now Lassoon) and had their smoked fried rice bowl with an egg on top and man, it was great. However, fast-forward to now, and here we are again...this time at the Kapahulu Guava Smoked. And that time, I went with something completely different. I ordered their mixed plate, which, with tax, rounded out to just over $20, but it was kinda worth the price. The smoked pork was incredibly addictive, and the duck wasn't too bad. If there was a choice I maybe could have done a bit differently, maybe I could have asked it they could do all tossed salad, but...I guess I wanted to at least try and make the most out of this experience. Overall, it's a nice aerial from the bottom with a good look with a great view from atop. I highly would recommend this place for sure if you're wanting a plate lunch that's kinda "out there". Maybe I might come back there again if I wanted to try another one of their plate lunches. read more

Guava Smoked - Guava Smoked's mixed plate. Got the smoked pork and duck with regular rice and greens. - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Smoked duck was very good. It was a pretty generous serving. The meat was tender and juicy. The skin had a nice sweetness to it. However, the duck overall could have been more flavorful. Service was very quick at this casual restaurant. There wasn't a lot of customers during lunch hour on a weekday. read more

Guava Smoked - Duck plate with kimchi - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Guava smoked has the most unusual BBQ I've ever had. The chicken and pork have such a moist and succulent taste. Not quite American BBQ and not quite Asian BBQ, it straddles and is uniquely its own thing. It is absolutely delicious. I also very much enjoy the salmon belly when the restaurant has it in stock. The galbi is elusive, I've never been in when it is in stock. Small parking lot. Casual. Indoor seating. Service is good. Please come and create your own experience. read more

Guava Smoked - Barbeque Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Parking was in back of building which was share by several businesses. Business was located on 2nd floor so we took the elevator. We sat inside on regular table where we could feel the breeze from outside. Employee recommended combo with kalbi. Our order was guava slush, beef stew, and combination of pork with kalbi with fried rice and kimchi. Guava slush tasted slushy. Beef in beef stew was tender. Pork and kalbi were tender and had good flavor. We definitely need to come again to try other food. read more

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Nice feeling of a mom and pop shop. Paper plate, US music and Hawaiian food. Smoked fish (butterfish and salmon) for me, beef stew for my gf, we're all excellent. We got a coupon (15%), so gave a nice tip. read more